Thermostatic signal for automobile-radiators



J. SAHLIN.

THERMOSTATIC SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS. APPLICATION FILEDNOV-3,1919.

1,372,554. Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

FIG. I

avwewtor J. SAHLIN.

THERMOSTATIG SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS. APPLICATION FILED NOV, 3,I919. 1,3?2,554, Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

FIG. 2.. FIG. 3.

awwnto'c STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN SAI-ILIN, 033 OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR '10 JULIUS E. KIEFER,TRUSTEE,

, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

THERMOSTATIC SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILE-RADIATORS.

Application filed November 3, 1919.

To all whom it may concern: 1 Be it known that I, JOHN SAHLIN, a c1t1-zen of the United States of America, residing at-Oak Park, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Thermostatic Signals for Automobile-Radiators, of whichthe following is a specification.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a simple andinexpensive device whereby the operator of a motor vehicle may ascertainat a glance the heat conditions within his radiator, visible signalsbeing displayed for denotlng excessive heat as well as a normal heatedcondition during operation and the cold condition when at rest.

A further object of the invention is to provide a temperature signalingdevice upon the closure cap of a radiator filling spout that will beornamental in appearance and automatic in operation as well aseconomical in manufacture, and whereby the danger of low water in thecirculating cooling system of the motor causing damage to the machine isprevented.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a predetermined,colored signal viewable. forwardly and rearwardly of the radiator cap ofan automobile for denoting when the fluid in the cooling system of themotor is at a proper running temperatureand to visually indicate anyradical lower ing or rising of such temperature, where danger offreezing or boiling of the fluid in the radiator is encountered, so thatthe same may be remedied before actual injury occurs.

With these general objects in view and others that will appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, my invention consists ofthe novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawing forming a part of this application, like referencecharacters refer Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Serial No. 335,239.

to corresponding parts throughout the several views, and

Figure 1 1s a perspective view of the device in use,

Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of the invention, partially illustrated invertical section and parts broken away,

Fig. 3 is a side elevatlon thereof,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken upon line IV-IV of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a detail view of a sliding connection employed with theinvention.

It will be first understood that my invention is primarily designed foruse in connection with the radiator of an automobile but may,nevertheless be also advantageously used, Wherever dangerously low-orhigh temperatures of fluid are liable to occur and injure any kind of adevice or machine. A closure plug or cap 10 of the form indicated-inFigs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawing is commonly employed with the fillingspout of an automobile radiator. This cap 10 is ordinarily formed ofhard rubber or metal with a centrally depending threaded flange 11 forsecuring the cap in closed position, removably upon the spout, such as 9of the radiator 8 of a motor vehicle 7 A substantially key-stone shapedframe 12 formed of brass or aluminum hasa tubular base 13 extendingdownwardly through.

a central opening '14 in the cap 10 with a shoulder 15 resting upon thetop of the cap. An opening 15 extends through the base 13 and shoulder15 into the frame 12, while a cup 17 depends from the bottom of the base13 underlying the opening 15. A couplin g nut 18 is threaded upon thelower end of the base 13 within the flange 11 and unites the cup 17 withthe base 13, while a washer 19 is positioned between the nut 18 and adjacent portion of the cap lOand the base '13 is thereby secured withinthe opening 14 with the frame mounted upon the cap, readily viewablewhen the cap is in its closing position.

Flanges 20 projecting inwardly of the frame 12, provide seats at theopposite faces thereof for dial glasses or 'plates 21, with sheet metalretaining rings 22 secured marginally thereover by screws 23. The dialplates 21 are preferably suitably covered with colored material'orcoating, excepting a central ovoiloid shaped portion 24 of each platefor seeing between and through the said plates 21, within the frame 12.

A supporting block 25 is secured within the opening 19 of the base 13 byscrews 26 and has spaced ears 27, between which the lower end of anindicator arm 28 is pivoted by a pin 29. The arm 28 extends into theframe 12 between the, plates 21 and with a flat head 30 upon the freeend thereof is substantially fan shaped and adapted for swingingmovement upon the pin 29, to and fro within the frame 12 between theplates 21.

A thermostatic element 31, formed of sheet material with the appearanceof a leaf spring and capable of expansion when heated, has one endanchored to a depending portion 32 of the base 13 within the cup 17 bymeans of screws 33. The element -31 is looped within the cup 17 and hasits other end extended upwardly and loosely connected to the arm 28 bymeans of a bolt or rivet 34 secured to the arm 28 and extending througha short longitudinal slot 35 in the thermostatic element 31, as bestseen in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing. The heating and extending of thethermostatic element 31 causes the arm 28 and head 30 to swing towardand'past the center of the indicator frame 12, while green and redpanels or portions 36 and .37 respectively of the head 30, are broughtsuccessively into view through the unobscured portions or windows 24 ofthe plates 21.

The colored indicating panels 36 and 37 i may be transparent to permitthe light to pass therethrough or the same may be opaque or translucentand readily viewable through the windows 24 from either side or face ofthe indicator. An adjusting screw 38 extends through the cup 17 andbears against the thermostatic element 31.

increasing or decreasing the tension thereon at will and so normallypositioning the indicating mechanism for use.

The complete operation of the invention will be fully understood fromthe foregoing detailed description thereof, the cap 10 being screwed inthe filling spout or water intake of an automobile radiator, when inuse, the clear or white portions 24 of the plates 21 being unobstructedby the head 30 when the engine is cold. When the engine attains itsnormal running temperature, the green signal 36 will show and. shouldremain in view denoting proper temperature in the circulating fluid ofthe motor and radiator. A'slight change in the temperature within theradiator influences the thermostatic element 31 for bringing the dangeror red signal 37 into view when the engine overheats, while insufiicientheating or the lowering of the temperature toward the cold or freezingpoint causes an opposite swinging of the indicator head 30 withdrawingthe green panel 36 from view, a condition that should not exist when theengine is running properly with efiiciency. I

While the form of my invention in automobile accessory herein set forthis believed to be the preferred form thereof, it will be understood thatminor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of my invention.

What I claim as new is 1. The combination with a radiator filler caphaving a centrally disposed opening; of an indicator casing having atubular lower and extending through said opening, a thermostat casingextending below the tubular end. a union nut connecting the tubular endand the thermostat casing, and a packing ring secured between the lowersurface of the cap and the upper surface of said nut.

l. A heat indicator for radiators comprisin in combination with thefilling spout cap of the radiator, a tubular base projectingtlierethrough, a substantially oval frame mounted upon the base, an armpivoted within the base adapted for swinging transversely of the frame.signal means upon the free end of said arm within the frame, athermostatic element having one end secured within the cap and its otherend operatively attached to said arm whereby a change in temperature inthe radiator beneath the cap is adapted to automatically shift said armand signal means, a cup beneath the vase surrounding the thermostaticelement. a coupling nut for said cup and base threaded to the basewithin the cap adapted for also maintaining the base and frame upon thecap, and sealing the base and cap from communication with the raiiiator.and an adjusting screw carried by the cup bearing against thethermostatic element therein adapted for altering the tension of thethermostatic member.

3. A heat indicator for radiators comprising in combination with thefillingspout cap of the radiator, a tubular base projectingtherethrough, a substantially oval frame mounted upon the base, an armpivoted within the base adapted for swinging transversely of the frame,signal means upon the free end of said arm within the frame, athermostatic element having one end secured within the cap and its otherend operatively attached to said arm whereby a change in temperature inthe radiator beneath the cap is adapted to automaticallv shift said armand signal means, a cup beneath the base surrounding the thermostaticelement, a coupling nut for said cup and base threaded to the baseWithin the cap adapted for also maintaining the base and frame upon thecap, and sealing the base and cap from communication with the radiator,an adjusting screw carried by the cup bearing against the thermostaticelement therein adapted for altering the tension of the thermostaticmember, an inwardlg projecting flange upon the frame, space platesseated upon said flange at opposite sides of-the frame having ahningwindow portions adapted for viewing said signal elements therethroughduring theshifting of said arm, fiat rings overlying said plates, andmeans for securing said rings and plates to said flange. I

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN SAHLIN.

